Movable or removable closures – Threshold – With diverse seal
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-13
2001-04-24
Redman, Jerry (Department: 3634)
Movable or removable closures
Threshold
With diverse seal
C049S475100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219971
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to entryways and more particularly to a jamb and threshold assembly that forms a watertight seal at the bottom corners of the assembly when the door of the entryway is closed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sealing a closed entryway against the leakage of water has long been a problem for designers of such entryways. The problem is particularly acute in a blowing rain storm, where the wind can easily blow rain water between a closed door and the jamb or threshold of the entryway. One common location for such leakage to occur is at the bottom corners of the door where the vertical jambs of the entryway meet the threshold cap of the sill assembly. This is because water tends to collect in these corners during a blowing rain storm and can be blown between the lower corners of the door and the jamb and into the building. While modern weather stripping seals well around most of the periphery of the door, it has nevertheless not proven effective at the bottom corners of the door where the weather stripping spans the space between the bottom of the door and the door sill assembly. Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and apparatus for providing a watertight seal at the bottom corners of an entryway door when the door is closed. It is to the provision of such a method and apparatus that the present invention is primarily directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, comprises a door jamb and threshold assembly that forms a watertight seal at the bottom corners of a door when the door is closed. The assembly comprises a pair of spaced vertical side jambs and a door sill and threshold assembly that spans the bottom ends of the jambs. A head jamb spans the tops of the side jambs to frame the opening. Flexible rubber or foam weather stripping is provided around the periphery of the opening and is positioned so that it becomes compressed between the stop of the jambs and a closed door to provide a seal around the periphery of the door.
A rubberized or foam pad is fixed to the side jambs at each of the bottom ends thereof where the jamb meets the threshold and sill assembly. The pad has a tapered portion that is positioned to be compressed between the bottom of the outside vertical edge of the door and the door jamb when the door is closed to provide a seal. In addition, the pad includes a projection that is positioned between the fixed and flexible legs of the weather stripping at the bottom corners of the side jambs. When the entryway door is closed, the weather stripping seals around the perimeter of the door as usual. At the bottom corners of the door, the projections of the pads between the legs of the weather stripping reinforces the weather stripping in this region causing it to bear with greater force and seal better against the door.
A portion of the projection formed as a part of the pad extends downwardly beyond the lower extent of the door to reinforce the weather stripping that rests against the front edge of the threshold cap beneath the closed door. Thus, when the door is closed, the weather stripping at the bottom corners of the door is compressed tightly against the door and the continuation of the weather stripping below the door is compressed tightly against the front of the threshold cap. In addition, the portion the weather stripping that spans the space between the bottom of the door and the threshold cap is pressed into and conforms to the shape and contours of the space. As a result, a watertight seal is formed at the bottom corners of the door and rain water is prevented from entering the dwelling, even in a blowing rain storm. These and other features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon review of the Detailed Description set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described as follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3851420 (1974-12-01), Tebbetts
patent: 4055917 (1977-11-01), Coller
patent: 4310991 (1982-01-01), Seely
patent: 4974366 (1990-12-01), Tizzoni
Endura Products, Inc.
Redman Jerry
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
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